Isn’t it sad that HE is with us and we are not aware of that? By simply saying He is with us, is not actual awareness of His being with us because if that is real, why our minds are not stilled? The way we, most of us, live, treat others, make earning, give away and defend our own ideas, will prove that we are addicted to the sweetness of conceit and hypocrisy. As we fault, awareness of His being with us is mitigated, the obvious reason of that is that other forces lead us as per our own preferences. In the following Guru Shabada, our stand in this context is clear. This Shabada is sung by Bhai Ravinder Singh ji. Here is the Guru shabada by Mehl 1 in Dhanasri Raag.
ਪਿਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਮੂਠੜੀਏ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: Oh deluded one, though the Beloved is with you, you don’t have knowledge of it.
What has deluded the soul bride? The answer is “Maya”. Why doesn’t the awareness of His being with her, ever take place? The Answer is that Maya keeps beguiling the soul- bride. Guru ji further addresses the reasons behind our inability to see HIM within and our failure in understanding His Ordinance; basically it is all due to the slumber the soul bride slips into.
ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲਿਖਿਅੜਾ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: As per destiny, we have reaped what we have sown [that is why awareness of His Being with in is never realized].
ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਮਿਟਈ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਸੀ ॥
In Essence: As destiny is not changed as per previous deeds, [as they say], one wonders what will happen at the end.
Here Guru ji expresses others held-views that destiny is not changed; however, he hints out that it is not only because of destiny, actually, no effort is made to change this course (note down the following Guru-Vaak), obviously now all is up to Him. In next Vaak, Guru ji makes clear the reason why written destiny remains unchanged, in other words, it could have been changed but neither any effort was made in this regard nor HE bestowed His blessings otherwise due to our own preferences. Here are the two main reasons. To Figure out the reason, read on
ਗੁਣੀ ਅਚਾਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਬਹਿ ਬਹਿ ਰੋਸੀ ॥
In Essence: Neither virtues have been attained nor she (soul-bride) has gotten imbued with His love, so due to lack of that, the soul bride will have to repent only.
There were two things that cemented the bad destiny.
- Virtuous way of life was not chosen
- Mind never got imbued with Him. Why?
The Answer is that Maya deluded her. Ignoring Him for Maya, the illusions within triggered bad destiny to continue (to remain in force).
Without good virtues and knowing Him, what will be left? Just to repent and bewail over deeds. We should know by doing so, nothing happens, it is literally useless. In next Vaak, Guru ji expresses the limitations of Maya and consequences of being infected with it, being careless about Him and the value of virtuous way.
ਧਨੁ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਆਕ ਕੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਏ ਦਿਨ ਪੁੰਨਿਆ ॥
In Essence: All the Riches and youthfulness are very temporary like a shade of swallow wort. [ All is gone when old age knocks at the door, eventually day of end arrives].
Then what the repenting will do when the asset of time has been wasted away. That is very sad situation. It is like game is over and some one wants to replay but there is no time lef. How the soul-bride will go through last moment here.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਦੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਛੂਟੀ ਝੂਠਿ ਵਿਛੁੰਨਿਆ ॥੧॥
In Essence: Like a deserted one, the soul bride would be discarded, and this way of living -lies will become a cause of separation from The Creator.
Reason of this desperate plight is clear, Akalpurakh was never considered as priority and life was lived without Him.
Bottom line is that we should not play game with HIM by thinking like “ I just want to do this thing, I want to complete this thing then I shall be free and get more time for Simran and keep His memory within etc”. Time passes on, that available and precious time keeps elapsing. After expressing about this tragic behavior of the soul-bride, Guru ji advises us, please grasp it completely
ਬੂਡੀ ਘਰੁ ਘਾਲਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਚਲੋ ॥
In Essence: Even though oh soul bride you are drowned/looted and chance of meeting HIM is ruined, save the house by following Guru’s will (Follow Guru)
After hearing this Guru advice, after wasting so much time in pursuing trivial things that have kept us unaware of His being within us, we should do what Guru wants us to do, what does Guru want from us actually? To be imbued with HIM, to live having His sweet memory in our hearts. That will help our soul- brides to walk on a path of experiencing HIM within. In next Vaaka, Guru expresses the outcome of Guru obedience:
ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਮਹਲੋ ॥
In Essence: By meditating on His Name and living in His love (as directed by Guru), peace would certainly be found within. So get out of Maya involvements and its illusions to live in His love and enjoy never ending happiness, let the things come by as they come as we earn our livings honestly. It is all within us as HE is with us within. Remain always aware of that fact of His being with us and never lose that awareness because ”Pir” is always within.
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ਤਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ਪੇਈਅੜੈ ਦਿਨ ਚਾਰੇ ॥
In Essence: By being totally involved with Him and being drowned in His simran, bliss of happiness is attained. The stay in this world is very limited.
His call is inevitable eventually. All this awareness of Him and short span of life must be in mind while living so that nothing should detour the mind from this virtuous way of life. Through meditating on Him, virtues blossom, it is such powerful force that it does curb negativity and brings peace to mind..
ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਬਹੈ ਸਚੁ ਪਾਏ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥
In Essence: So soul bride stays home where HE is, flying with hopes, running after Maya temptations, will take us out of our hearts’ bed where He abides in; by meditating on Him, one enjoys being with True Beloved unlimited days.
When out side attraction ceases, mind is known to be at home. In that state of mind, His realization occurs. In next Vaaka, Guru ji expresses his experience as a warning to those who preach other ways of realization of HIM.
ਵਿਣੁ ਭਗਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਵੀ ਸੁਣਿਅਹੁ ਲੋਕ ਸਬਾਏ ॥
In Essence: (Guru addresses to all people, “Listen all!”) Without His devotion, mind is not stilled within [Mind remains prone to distractions layered together with temptations and, it keeps failing to stay within without worshiping Prabh in His love].
What is”ghar/home?
That is the state of mind where outer influences are negated with contemplation on Him. It is addressed to all others who claim other ways to reach Him. It is stressed here that HE is realized only through falling in love with Him and live in His love. It also means, always HE should remain the center of our attention. Any physical effort and rituals etc are literally discarded as useless. This idea is made clearer in the following Vaaka
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਸੀ ਤਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਏ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਏ ॥੨॥
In Essence: Guru ji declares, only if the soul bride remains drenched in His Eternal Name forever, she can realize Him (otherwise it is not possible).
As many say that they can talk to Him, they have Naam, they can give to others, merely enjoying their own illusions. After knowing Him, approach towards one’s family and the world is changed utterly, love for His all creation glows equally. My son is this or that kind of talk looses importance because then soul is with Him. Guru ji makes it clear that by being totally involved with Him, is a state of mind, where outer influences cease to affect, when it is achieved, all kinds of sorrows, pains, and happiness are taken as His ordinance, only He is seen every where; that is why, only one in million, reaches to that state of mind with His grace but efforts should be continued to reach there by being in His love. Without efforts, there is no fruit. It is very serious choice; by merely talking, nothing is going to be materialized. Who are such persons who reach to that state of mind? In answer to that, I would take the honor to quote Fifth Nanak’s pious description of that
ਰਤੇ ਸੇਈ ਜਿ ਮੁਖੁ ਨ ਮੋੜੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਿਞਾਤਾ ਸਾਈ ॥
ਝੜਿ ਝੜਿ ਪਵਦੇ ਕਚੇ ਬਿਰਹੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਕਾਰਿ ਨ ਆਈ ॥੧॥
In Essence: Those Who remain drenched in Him (in His love)and do not turn ever away from the Creator, realize the Master. The false lovers ( Who just talk and claim),whom His true love hasn’t suited (means whom living in His love couldn’t suit), they fall off mid-way.
Guru Ji continues his advice
ਪਿਰੁ ਧਨ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਪਿਰ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: If the Soul bride pleases the Beloved with her love, then Beloved Prabh likes her.
Through this Vaaka, Guru ji makes clear two things, Virtuous ways of life and unconditional love for Him, are helpful in achieving His blessings. His love for soul bride over comes every obstacle. This “way out” is shown to the soul bride by Guru, so living Guru- Teachings is very vital. Please read on
ਰੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: By cogitating Guru Shabada, means pondering over every thing Guru says (and living accordingly), Soul bride gets imbued with the Beloved. [Guru Shabada enables her to over come all obstacles through meditating on HIM].
Guru teachings are supposed to be considered a way of life, they are not just for singing or reciting. They should be a part of every action we take on. No game playing is permitted in this love-game of Prabh..
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਨਾਹ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰੇਈ ॥
In Essence: As in His love, Soul bride contemplates Guru Shabada, she is loved by her Spouse (ਨਾਹ) and in His love she performs devotional service to her groom in total humility.
This is the change occurs after giving up herself to Guru and falling in love with the Creator. If we find our actions are far away from this truth, we should ponder over Guru Shabada again.
ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਜਲਾਏ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਰਸ ਮਹਿ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਰੇਈ ॥
In Essence: This way, Soul bride gets rid of worldly attachment and temptations and starts enjoying being in His company.
What happens then actually, the answer is in next the Vaaka.
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਚੇ ਸੇਤੀ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗੇਤੀ ਲਾਲ ਭਈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀ ॥
In Essence: Soul Bride is completely imbued with the love of the True Spouse, by conquering mind, she has become very gorgeous.
This is the way to live with Him. This is the result of the love she is drenched in. Now she is not deserted but her Spouse -Prabh is with her
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਵਸੀ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਪਿਰ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੩॥
In Essence: Nanak says that having sweet love for her Beloved Spouse, the blessed Soul -bride lives with Him.
Here the state of mind of the soul goes beyond awareness of His being within; actually it starts living with HIM.
ਪਿਰ ਘਰਿ ਸੋਹੈ ਨਾਰਿ ਜੇ ਪਿਰ ਭਾਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: Soul bride attains respect if she is with her Beloved Husband; however it all depends on His grace. With Him she becomes beauteous [and she has the honor of having Him].
This status is attained with virtuous way and by being in love with Him only, all other things done are not useful, next vaaka addresses that
ਝੂਠੇ ਵੈਣ ਚਵੇ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: Wailing done in false words is not useful to please Him. It is not accepted by Him.
What does He like is not done, then why to wail? Why empty calls are made to HIM loudly? In simple words, only in His love, one can adopt enough virtues to have His grace, falsehood brings bad end..
ਝੂਠੁ ਅਲਾਵੈ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਦੇਖੈ ਨੈਣੀ ॥
In Essence: The false wailing is useless, the Soul bride will never be able to see Beloved Spouse{ Since what pleases Him is not adopted or done)
Remaining into falsehood is not the way to see Him or to realize Him. If there is longing for Him, one has to get ready for HIM. False claims and other religious practices are not accepted in His court as per Guru Hukam. Unfortunately most of us are into this kind of hypocrisy and then we declare it is not possible to become Saints as Gurbani teaches. Guru ji keeps giving the reasons of the soul-bride’s failure on His path.
ਅਵਗੁਣਿਆਰੀ ਕੰਤਿ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ਛੂਟੀ ਵਿਧਣ ਰੈਣੀ ॥
In Essence: Soul bride, with no merit is forgotten and deserted by her Spouse-Prabh, thus she suffers; she passes the night of her life without her Master.
In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, it is said that only Gurmukh are awake otherwise the rest of the world is in slumber of Maya. Think deeply how does the poison of Maya become sweet!
Same view is stressed here.
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ਫਾਹੀ ਫਾਥੀ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਮਹਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਏ ॥
In Essence: That Soul Bride who doesn’t believe in Guru’s word is caught in the worldly net, she cannot obtain her Spouse.
For a purpose, the life is given, when that is lost, what is left then? A temporary enjoyment of personal preferences! That is what left! Guru ji in another Shabada also says that if this turn (life) is missed, then the next chance will fall to the next turn only if that comes.
ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥੪॥
In Essence: Guru ji says if Soul Bride understands purpose of her life, she can merge with Him and be in the celestial peace with the blessings of Guru.
First she (soul-bride) has to realize what is the purpose of life and then should start to act upon Guru – teachings.
ਧਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਰਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: Blessed is that fortunate Soul bride who realizes her Beloved- Husband.
Guru ji here applauds those who act and live as per Guru’s directions and eventually realize HIM. In the next Vaak, Guru ji states strongly that without HIM, life lived is just false or in other words wasted in vain.
ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੂੜਿਆਰਿ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਣਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥
In Essence: Without Prabh’s Name, What Soul Bride does is false, therefore she is false without His Name.
In other words life becomes a waste without HIM. In worldly point of views, it is alright otherwise. People call those people successful who are drowned in Maya and who are turned to Him, totally are not appreciated.
Also posted on SPN under ID PK70
1 comments
“Pir Sang Muthreeye Khabar Naa Paayaa Jeeo….” Beautifully explained Veerji, thank you!!